Hinge assembly, rotation mechanism and foldable mobile terminal

ABSTRACT

A hinge assembly is provided. The hinge assembly includes a first base, a second base, a flexible connection element, and a number of hinge elements. The flexible connection element is located between and coupled to the first base and the second base. The hinge elements are arranged in a line and located between the first base and the second base. Each of the hinge elements comprises an interior portion and an exterior portion opposite to the interior portion. The exterior portions of the hinge elements are coupled to the flexible connection element. The interior portions of the hinge elements are capable of being either close to or far away from each other by rotating the first base with respect to the second base. A foldable mobile terminal and a rotation mechanism are also provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/925,638, filed on Mar. 19, 2018, which claimspriority to a Chinese application No. 201720296583.6 filed on Mar. 24,2017, titled “ROTATION MECHANISM, FOLDABLE DISPLAY PANEL ASSEMBLY ANDFOLDABLE MOBILE TERMINAL”. The entireties of the above-mentionedapplications are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of consumer electronics ingeneral. More particularly, and without limitation, the disclosedembodiments relate to a hinge assembly, and a rotation mechanism, and afoldable mobile terminal.

BACKGROUND

Mobile phones with large screen play an excellent role in improving userexperience and visual effect, and possess obvious advantagesparticularly in business communication, playing games, watching moviesand the like.

Currently, a foldable mobile phone may satisfy demand of a user forlarger screen. The foldable mobile phone may have a large flexibledisplay panel. The large flexible display panel is mounted on a firsthousing and a second housing. The first housing and the second housingcan be rotatably coupled to each other by a rotation mechanism. Thefoldable mobile phone can be folded and unfolded by rotating therotation mechanism between the first housing and the second housing.Therefore, a hinge assembly configured to connect the first housing andthe second housing is needed.

SUMMARY

In accordance with an aspect, in one embodiment of the presentdisclosure, a hinge assembly is provided. The hinge assembly includes afirst base, a second base, a flexible connection element, and a numberof hinge elements. The flexible connection element is located betweenand coupled to the first base and the second base. The hinge elementsare arranged in a line and located between the first base and the secondbase. Each of the hinge elements comprises an interior portion and anexterior portion opposite to the interior portion. The exterior portionsof the hinge elements are coupled to the flexible connection element.The interior portions of the hinge elements are capable of being eitherclose to or far away from each other by rotating the first base withrespect to the second base.

In accordance with another aspect, in one embodiment of the presentdisclosure, a foldable mobile terminal is provided. The foldable mobileterminal includes a rotation mechanism, a first housing, a secondhousing, and a flexible display panel assembly. The rotation mechanismincludes a supporting member and at least one hinge assembly. Thesupporting member has a supporting surface and a mounting surfaceopposite to the supporting surface. The at least one hinge assembly iscoupled to the mounting surface of the supporting member. Each of the atleast one hinge assembly having a first base, a second base, a number ofhinge elements, and a flexible connection element. Each of the firstbase and the second base is coupled to the mounting surface andseparated from each other. The hinge elements are arranged in a line andlocated between the first base and the second base. The flexibleconnection element is located between and coupled to the first base andthe second base, and facing the mounting surface member. The firsthousing is coupled to one side of the supporting member. The secondhousing is coupled to the other side of the supporting member. Theflexible display panel assembly mounted on the first housing and thesecond housing. The second housing and the rotation mechanism are incontact with the supporting member. A configuration of the supportingmember of the rotation mechanism is capable of being changed tocooperate with a configuration of the flexible display panel assemblyduring rotating the first housing with respect to the second housing.

In accordance with a still another aspect, in one embodiment of thepresent disclosure, a rotation mechanism is provided. The rotationmechanism includes a supporting member and at least one hinge assembly.The supporting member has a supporting surface and a mounting surfaceopposite to the supporting surface. The at least one hinge assembly iscoupled to the mounting surface of the mounting surface. Each of the atleast one hinge assembly has a first base, a second base, a number ofhinge elements, and a flexible connection element. Each of the firstbase and the second base is coupled to the mounting surface andseparated from each other. The hinge elements are arranged in a line andlocated between the first base and the second base. The flexibleconnection element is located between and coupled to the first base andthe second base, and facing the mounting surface member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of thepresent disclosure, and together with the description, serve to explainthe principles of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of a mobile terminal, which is in anunfolded configuration.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the foldable mobile terminal inFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic view of the foldable mobile terminal inFIG. 1, which is in a folded configuration.

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic view of a rotation mechanism of thefoldable mobile terminal in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view of the rotation mechanism in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic view of a hinge assembly of the rotationmechanism in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exploded view of the hinge assembly in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 illustrates an enlarged view of part A in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 illustrates a schematic view of a first hinge member (or a secondhinge member) of the hinge assembly in FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 illustrates an exploded view of the first hinge member (or thesecond hinge member in FIG. 6.

FIG. 11 illustrates a schematic view of the tooth plate assembly in FIG.7.

FIG. 12 illustrates an exploded view of the tooth plate assembly in FIG.11.

FIG. 13 illustrates an assembly view of the rotation mechanism in FIG.4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

This description and the accompanying drawings that illustrate exemplaryembodiments should not be taken as limiting. Various mechanical,structural, electrical, and operational changes may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of this description and the claims, includingequivalents. In some instances, well known structures and techniqueshave not been shown or described in detail so as not to obscure thedisclosure. Similar reference numbers in two or more figures representthe same or similar elements. Furthermore, elements and their associatedfeatures that are disclosed in detail with reference to one embodimentmay, whenever practical, be included in other embodiments in which theyare not specifically shown or described. For example, if an element isdescribed in detail with reference to one embodiment and is notdescribed with reference to a second embodiment, the element maynevertheless be claimed as included in the second embodiment.

As used herein, a “communication terminal” (or simply a “terminal”)includes, but is not limited to, a device that is configured toreceive/transmit communication signals via a wireline connection, suchas via a public-switched telephone network (PSTN), digital subscriberline (DSL), digital cable, a direct cable connection, and/or anotherdata connection/network, and/or via a wireless interface with, forexample, a cellular network, a wireless local area network (WLAN)1 adigital television network such as a DVB-H network, a satellite network,an AM/FM broadcast transmitter, and/or another communication terminal. Acommunication terminal that is configured to communicate over a wirelessinterface may be referred to as a “wireless communication terminal,” a“wireless terminal” and/or a “mobile terminal.” Examples of mobileterminals include, but are not limited to, a satellite or cellularradiotelephone; a Personal Communications System (PCS) terminal that maycombine a cellular radiotelephone with data processing, facsimile anddata communications capabilities; a PDA that can include aradiotelephone, pager, Internet/intranet access, Web browser, organizer,calendar and/or a global positioning system (GPS) receiver; and aconventional laptop and/or palmtop receiver or other appliance thatincludes a radiotelephone transceiver.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3, a foldable mobile terminal100 can include a rotation mechanism 10, a first housing 20, a secondhousing 30, and a flexible display panel assembly 40. The rotationmechanism 10 can be located between the first housing 20 and the secondhousing 30, and can be configured to couple the first housing 20 to thesecond housing 30. One side of the rotation mechanism 10 is coupled tothe first housing 20, and the other side of the rotation mechanism 10 iscoupled to the second housing 30. The second housing 20 can be rotatedwith respect to the first housing 10 by the rotation mechanism 30. Thus,the foldable mobile terminal 100 can be in an unfolded configuration(see FIG. 1) or a folded mold (see FIG. 3). In the unfoldedconfiguration, the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 aresubstantially arranged in a plane. In the folded configuration, thesecond housing 20 is rotated with respect to the first housing 10, andthen is turned over and stacked onto the first housing 10. The rotationmechanism 30 is also configured to prevent a detachment of the firsthousing 20 and the second housing 30. The flexible display panelassembly 40 can be mounted on the first housing 20, the rotationmechanism 10, and the second housing 30. It is noted that, the foldablemobile terminal 100 can further include an electronic component group(not shown). The electronic component group can be received in the firsthousing 20, and/or the second housing 30. The electronic component groupcan be electrically coupled to the flexible display panel assembly 40.The electronic component group can be configured to control the flexibledisplay panel assembly 40.

The first housing 20 can be rotated with respect to the second housing30 by the rotation mechanism 10. The rotation mechanism 10 of thefoldable mobile terminal 100 in the folded configuration can support theflexible display panel assembly 40. The rotation mechanism 10 of thefoldable mobile terminal 100 in the unfolded configuration can alsosupport the flexible display panel assembly 40. The rotation mechanism10 can be configured to always support the flexible display panelassembly 40 during rotating the first housing 20 with respect to thesecond housing. In one embodiment, the rotation mechanism 10 can befolded. The rotation mechanism 10 is folded while the foldable mobileterminal 100 is in the folded configuration. The rotation mechanism 10is unfolded while the foldable mobile terminal 100 is in the unfoldedconfiguration. Thus, the flexible display panel assembly 40 can besupported effectively by the rotation mechanism 10 and will not becompressed or stretched. The flexible display panel assembly 40 can beprevented from deformation and damage, a service life of the foldablemobile terminal 100 can be prolonged.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, and FIG. 5, the rotation mechanism 10 caninclude a supporting member 12 and at least one hinge assembly 14coupled to the supporting member 12.

The supporting member 12 can be flexible. For example, the supportingmember 12 can be bendable, or even foldable. Thus, the supporting member12 can be deformed into a predetermined configuration to support theflexible display panel assembly 40. The supporting member 12 may includea supporting surface 122 and a mounting surface 124. The supportingsurface 122 of the supporting member 12 can be in contact with theflexible display panel assembly 40 and configured to support theflexible display panel assembly 40. The mounting surface 124 of thesupporting member 12 can be configured to be coupled to the hingeassembly 14. In one embodiment, the supporting member 12 can besubstantially stripe-shaped, and can be made of thin steel sheet. Thesupporting member 12 can include a first side 125 and a second side 126.The first side 125 and the second side 126 are arranged along adirection perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the supportingmember 12. The supporting member 12 can be located between the firsthousing 20 and the second housing 30. The first side 125 can be coupledto the first housing 20 and the second side 126 can be coupled to thesecond housing 30. The supporting member 12 can be bent or folded byrotating the first housing 20 with respect to the second housing 30during folding the foldable mobile terminal 100, and the supportingmember 12 can also unfolded by rotating the first housing 20 withrespect to the second housing 30 during unfolding the foldable mobileterminal 100.

The hinge assembly 14 can be mounted on the mounting surface 124 of thesupporting member 12. The hinge assembly 14 can be bent together withthe supporting member 12. The hinge assembly 14 can be configured tosupport the supporting member 12. Especially, the hinge assembly 14 canbe configured to support the supporting member 12 to maintain a bentconfiguration of the supporting member 12. The hinge assembly 14 can becoupled to the first side 125 and the second side 126 of the supportingmember 12. A configuration of the supporting surface 122 of thesupporting member 12 of the rotation mechanism 10 can be changed tocooperate with a configuration of the flexible display panel assembly 40during rotating the first housing 20 with respect to the second housing30. In one embodiment, one end of the hinge assembly 14 can be coupledto the first side 125 of the supporting member 12, and the other end ofthe hinge assembly 14 can be coupled to the second side 126 of thesupporting member 12. In one embodiment, a configuration of thesupporting member 12 of the foldable mobile terminal 100 in the foldedconfiguration can be substantially semi-cylinder. The hinge assembly 14coupled to the supporting member 12 can support the supporting member 12to maintain the semi-columnar configuration of the supporting member 12.

As illustrated in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, in one embodiment, the hingeassembly 14 can include a first hinge member 142, a second hinge member143, a tooth plate member 144 located between the first hinge member 142and the second hinge member 143. The first hinge member 142 and thesecond hinge member 142 are separated from each other. The hingeassembly 14 can further include a first connection plate 145 and asecond connection plate 146. The first connection plate 145 and thesecond connection plate 146 are separated from each other and locatedbetween the first hinge member 141 and the second hinge member 143. Inother words, the first hinge member 142 is coupled to the second hingemember 143 by the first connection plate 145 and the second connectionplate 146. The tooth plate member 144 is located between the first hingemember 142 and the second hinge member 143, and also between the firstconnection plate 145 and the second connection plate 146. The toothplate member 144 can be coupled to the first hinge member 142 and thesecond hinge member 143, and disposed on the first connection plate 145and the second connection plate 146.

The second hinge member 143 is substantially similar to the first hingemember 142. As illustrated in FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, each ofthe first hinge member 142 and the second hinge member 143 can include afirst base 14221, a second base 14223, a flexible connection element1424, and a number of hinge elements 1426. In one embodiment, the firstbase 14221 can be configured to be coupled to the first connection plate145, and the second base 14223 can be configured to be coupled to thesecond connection plate 146. The first base 14221 can also be configuredto be coupled to the first side 125 of the supporting member 12. Thesecond base 14223 can also be configured to be coupled to the secondside 126 of the supporting member 12. The flexible connection element1424 can be located between the first base 14221 and the second base14223. One end of the flexible connection element 1424 can be coupled tothe first base 14221 and the other end of the flexible connectionelement 1424 can be coupled to the second base 14223. The flexibleconnection element 1424 can be substantially strip-shaped, and can bemade of a thin steel plate.

The flexible connection element 1424 can be configured to be coupled tothe hinge elements 1426. In one embodiment, the flexible connectionelement 1424 can define a number of position holes 14242 (see FIG. 10)and a number of hollowed-outs 14244 (see FIG. 10). The positioning holes14242 and the hollowed-outs 14242 are arranged alternatively along alongitudinal direction of the flexible connection element 1424. Each ofthe hollowed-outs 14244 can be defined between two adjacent positionholes 14242. In other words, each of the position holes 14242 can belocated between two adjacent hollowed-outs 14244. The formation of thehollowed-outs 14244 can reduce a weight of the flexible connectionelement 1424. Further, a flexibility of the flexible connection element1424 can be enhanced due to the hollowed-outs 14244. In one embodiment,a configuration of each of the hollowed-outs 14244 can be substantiallyellipse-shaped. A configuration of each of the position holes 14242 canbe substantially circle-shaped. Centers of the hollowed-outs 14244 andcenters of the position holes 14242 can be arranged in a line.

The hinge elements 1426 can be located between the first base 14221 andthe second base 14223. The hinge elements 1426 can be arranged in a lineand coupled to the flexible connection element 1424.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 10, each of the hinge elements1426 can include an exterior portion 14261 and an interior portion 14262opposite to the interior portion 14261. The hinge elements 1426 can becoupled to the flexible connection element 1424 by the exterior portions14261. In one embodiment, the exterior portion 14261 may have a positionrod 14268 formed thereon. The position rod 14268 can be coupled to thecorresponding position hole 14242 of the flexible connection element1424. Thus, the exterior portions 14261 of the hinge elements 1426 canbe coupled to the flexible connection element 1424, and the interiorportion 14261 can be capable of being either close to or far away fromeach other by rotating the first base 14221 with respect to the secondbase 14223.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, FIG. 8 and FIG. 10, each of the hinge elements1426 can further include a hinge body 14263. In one embodiment, thehinge body 14263 can be substantially fan-shaped. The hinge body 14263may have a first sidewall 1426 a and a second sidewall 1426 b. The firstsidewall 1426 a and the second sidewall 1426 b are located on twoopposite sides of the hinge body 14263. A slide portion 14265 and afirst extending portion 14266 are located at the same side of the hingemember 1426. For example, the slide portion 14265 and the firstextending portion 14266 are located at the first sidewall 1426 a of thehinge element 1426. Thus, a guiding space G can be formed between theslide portion 14265 and the first extending portion 14266. Further, thehinge body 14263 can define a slide slot 14264 at the second sidewall1426 b, thereby forming a second extending portion 14267. In otherwords, the slide slot 14264 and the slide portion 14265 can be locatedat two opposite sidewalls of the hinge body 14263 of the hinge element1426. The slide slot 14264 and the second extending portion 14267 arelocated at the same side of the hinge body 14263 of the hinge element1426. The slide portion 14265 of one of the hinge members 1426 can becoupled to and slide in the slide slot 14264 of another hinge element1426 adjacent to the one hinge element 1426. The second extendingportion 14267 of one of the hinge elements 1426 can be coupled to andslide in the guiding space G of another hinge element 1426 adjacent tothe one hinge element 1426.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the first hingemember 142 may include a first hinge element 1426′, a second hingeelement 1426″ adjacent to the first hinge element 1426′, and a thirdhinge element 1426′ adjacent to the second hinge element 1426″. Thesecond hinge element 1426″ can be located between the first hingeelement 1426′ and the third hinge element 1426′″. The slide slot 14264of the second hinge element 1426″ can be located at the second sidewall1426 b facing the first hinge element 1426′, the slide portion 14265 ofthe second hinge element 1426″ can be located at the first sidewall 1426a facing the third hinge element 1426′. The slide portion 14265 of thesecond hinge element 1426″ can be inserted into the slide slot 14264 ofthe third hinge element 1426′″. The slide portion 14265 of the secondhinge element 1426″ can slide towards the third hinge element 1426′″ inthe slide slot 14264 of the third hinge element 1426′″, or slide awayfrom the third hinge element 1426′″ in the slide slot 14264 of the thirdhinge element 1426′″. Correspondingly, the second extending portion14267 of the third hinge element 1426′″ can be inserted in a guidingspace G of the second hinge element 1426″. The second extending portion14267 of the third hinge element 1426′″ can slide towards the secondhinge element 1426″ in the guiding space G of the second hinge element1426″ or slide away from the second hinge element 1426″ in the guidingspace G of the second hinge element 1426″. The slide portion 14265 ofthe first hinge element 1426′ can be inserted into the slide slot 14264of the second hinge element 1426″. The slide portion 14265 of the firsthinge element 1426′ can slide towards the second hinge element 1426″ inthe slide slot 14264 of the second hinge element 1426″, or slide awayfrom the second hinge element 1426″ in the slide slot 14264 of thesecond hinge element 1426″. Correspondingly, the second extendingportion 14267 of the second hinge element 1426″ can be inserted in aguiding space G of the first hinge element 1426′. The second extendingportion 14267 of the second hinge element 1426″ can slide towards thefirst hinge element 1426′ in the guiding space G of the first hingeelement 1426′ or slide away from the first hinge element 1426′ in theguiding space G of the first hinge element 1426′.

In one embodiment, the slide portion 14265 can be substantiallyarc-shaped. Correspondingly, a configuration of the slide slot 14264 canbe arc-shaped and similar to that of the slide portion 14265. The slideslot 14264 is configured to be coupled to the slide slot 14264. Thus,the slide portion 14265 can slide in the slide slot 14264.

In one embodiment, a surface of the exterior portion 14261 of the hingeelement 1426 can be substantially an arc-shaped surface. During rotatingthe first housing 20 with respect to the second housing 30, the firstbase 14221 can be rotated with respect to the second base 14223 andstacked on the second base 14223. Thus, the first hinge member 142 canbe bent by sliding the slide portion 14265 into the slide slot 14264 andsliding the second extending portion 14267 into the guiding space G. Asa result, the surfaces of the exterior portions 14261 of the hingeelements 1426 can form an outer surface. The outer surface may have aconfiguration similar to the folded flexible display panel assembly 40.The outer surface can be in contact with the flexible connection element1424 to change a configuration of the supporting surface of the flexibleconnection element 1424. Thus, the flexible display panel assembly 40can be supported effectively. In one embodiment, the flexible displaypanel assembly 40 may be folded to have a configuration ofsemi-cylinder. The outer surface formed by the first hinge member 142may be a semi-circumferential surface coupled to the folded flexibledisplay panel assembly 40.

In one embodiment, an amount of the hinge elements 1426 can be an oddnumber. A middle one of the hinge elements 1426 can be configured toindicate a center axis of the rotation mechanism 10. As illustrated inFIG. 9 and FIG. 10, in the present embodiment, five hinge elements 1426arranged in a line are illustrated. The first hinge member 142 mayfurther include a first connecting hinge element 14291 and a secondconnecting hinge element 14292. The first connecting hinge element 14291is located at one end of the first hinge member 142 and is configured tobe fixed to the first base 14221. The second connecting hinge member14292 is located at the other end of the first hinge member 142 and isconfigured to be fixed to the second base 14223. The first connectinghinge element 14292 may have a slide portion and a first extendingportion. A guiding space G can be formed between the slide portion andthe first extending portion. The slide portion can be coupled to theslide slot of the hinge element 1426 adjacent to the first connectinghinge element 14291. The second extending portion of the hinge element1426 adjacent to the second connecting hinge element 14291 can beinserted in the guiding space G of the first connecting hinge element14291. The second connecting hinge element 14292 may have a slide slotto be coupled to the slide portion of the hinge element 1426 adjacent tothe second connecting hinge element 14292. A second extending portion ofthe second connecting hinge element 14292 can be inserted in the guidingspace G of the hinge element 1426 adjacent to the second connectinghinge element 14292. Thus, by rotating the first base 14221 with respectto the second base 14223 (i.e., by rotating the first housing 20 withrespecting to the second housing 30), the first hinge member 142 can bebent, thereby changing the configuration of the supporting surface 122of the rotation mechanism.

The second hinge member 143 (see FIG. 9) is substantially similar to thefirst hinge member 142. The second hinge member 143 is substantiallyparallel to the first hinge member 142. By rotating the first base 14221with respect to the second base 14223 (i.e., by rotating the firsthousing 20 with respecting to the second housing 30), the second hingemember 142 can be bent, thereby changing the configuration of thesupporting surface 122 of the rotation mechanism.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, the tooth plate member144 is located between the first hinge member 142 and the second hingemember 143. The tooth plate member 144 may include a first mountingplate 14421, a second mounting plate 14423, and at least one tooth plategroup 1440. The first mounting plate 14421 and the second mounting plate14423 can be parallelly arranged in a plane and separated from eachother. One end of the first mounting plate 14421 can be coupled to thefirst bases 14221 of the first hinge member 142 and the second hingemember 143, the other end of the first mounting plate 14421 can becoupled to the tooth plate group 1440. One end of the second mountingplate 14423 can be coupled to the second bases 14223 of the first hingemember 142 and the second hinge member 143, the other end of the firstmounting plate 14423 can be coupled to the tooth plate group 1440.

The tooth plate group 1440 can be located between and coupled to thefirst mounting plate 14421 and the second mounting plate 14423. In oneembodiment, the tooth plate group 1440 may include a first tooth plategroup 1443, a second tooth plate group 1446, a first middle tooth plategroup 1444, and a second middle tooth plate group 1445. Each of thefirst tooth plate group 1443, the second tooth plate group 1446, and thefirst middle tooth plate group 1444, and the second tooth plate group1445 can include a number of tooth plates 1441. The first tooth plategroup 1443 can be coupled to the first mounting plate 14421. One end faraway from the first mounting plate 14421 of the first tooth plate group1443 can be meshed with the first middle tooth plate group 1444. Thesecond tooth plate group 1446 can be coupled to the second mountingplate 14423. One end far away from the second mounting plate 14423 ofthe second tooth plate group 1446 can be meshed with the second middletooth plate group 1445. The first tooth plate group 1443 and the firstmiddle tooth plate group 1444 can be substantially stacked on the secondmiddle tooth plate group 1445 and the second tooth plate group 1446.Thus, the first middle tooth plate group 1444 can be rotatably coupledto the first tooth plate group 1443, and the second middle tooth plategroup 1445 can be rotatably coupled to the second tooth plate group1446. The second mounting plate 14423 can be rotated relative to thefirst mounting plate 14421 by the tooth plate group 1440. A rotationangle of the first mounting plate 14421 with respect to the secondmounting plate can be any degree. The tooth plate group 1440 can beconfigured to maintain a rotation position of the first bases 14421 ofthe first hinge member 142 and the second hinge member 143 with respectto the second bases 14423 of the first hinge member 142 and the secondhinge member 143. In other words, a position of the first bases 14421 ofthe first hinge member 142 and the second hinge member 143 with respectto the second bases 14423 of the first hinge member 142 and the secondhinge member 143 can be maintained by the tooth plate group 1440.

In one embodiment, the tooth plate member 144 may include a number oftooth plate groups 1440. The tooth plate groups 1440 are stacked along adirection parallel to the rotation axis of the rotation mechanism 10. Inthe present embodiment, five stacked tooth plate groups 1440 areillustrated in FIG. 12. In one embodiment, a first rotation shaft 14491can penetrate through the first tooth plate groups 1443 and the secondmiddle tooth plate groups 1445, a second rotation shaft 14493 canpenetrate through the first middle tooth plate groups 1444 and thesecond middle tooth plate groups 1445, and a third rotation shaft 14495can penetrate through the first middle tooth plate groups 1444 and thesecond tooth plate groups 1446. Therefore, the tooth plate groups 1440can be folded and unfolded during rotating the first tooth plate groups1443 and the second tooth plate groups 1445. The tooth plate groups 1440can be configured to maintain a rotation position of the first bases14421 of the first hinge member 142 and the second hinge member 143 withrespect to the second bases 14423 of the first hinge member 142 and thesecond hinge member 143.

In one embodiment, the first tooth plate group 1443 can include a numberof first mounting protrusions 1442 on a surface facing the firstmounting plate 14421. The first mounting plate 14421 can define a numberof first mounting holes 1448 corresponding to the first mountingprotrusions 1442. The first mounting protrusions 1442 can be insertedinto the first mounting holes 1448 one by one. Thus, the first toothplate group 1443 can be coupled to the first mounting plate 14421.

In one embodiment, the second tooth plate group 1446 can include anumber of second mounting protrusions 1447 on a surface facing thesecond mounting plate 14423. The second mounting plate 14423 can definea number of second mounting holes 1449 corresponding to the secondmounting protrusions 1447 of the second tooth plate group 1446. Thesecond mounting protrusions 1447 can be inserted into the secondmounting holes 1449 one by one. Thus, the second tooth plate group 1446can be coupled to the second mounting plate 14423.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, the firstmounting plate 14421 can be slidably coupled to the first bases 14221;the second mounting plate 14423 can be slidably coupled to the secondbases 14223. The first bases 14221 and the second base 14223 can befixed to the supporting member 12. When the first bases 14221 arerotated relative to the second bases 14223, the flexible connectionelement 1424 can be bent. The interior portions 14261 of the hingeelements 1426 can be moved close to each other. As a result, aconfiguration of the supporting surface 122 of the supporting member 12of the rotation mechanism 10 can be changed to cooperate with aconfiguration of the flexible display panel assembly 40 during rotatingthe first housing 20 with respect to the second housing 30. Thus, therotation mechanism 10 can support the flexible display panel assembly 40always.

In one embodiment, the tooth plate member 144 can further include afirst sliding rod 14461 and a second sliding rod 14463. The firstsliding rod 14461 can be mounted on the first mounting plate 14421, andslidably coupled to the first bases 14221. The second sliding rod 14463can be mounted on the second mounting plate 14423, and slidably coupledto the first bases 14223.

In one embodiment, the first sliding rod 14461 can be located at oneside of the first mounting plate 14421 and be far away from the toothplate groups 1440. Two opposite ends of the first sliding rod 14461 canbe protruded from the first mounting plate 14421. The first sliding rod14461 can be configured to couple to the first bases 14221. The firstbases 14221 can define two first guiding slots 1427 (see in FIG. 7). Thetwo ends of the first sliding rod 14461 can be respectively received inthe two first guiding slots 1427. The two ends of the first sliding rod14461 can slide in the two first guiding slots 1427. Thus, the firstsliding rod 14461 can be slidably coupled to the first bases 14221. Inone embodiment, the first mounting plate 14421 can define a locking slotC. The first sliding rod 14461 can be partially received in the lockingslot C. Thus, the first sliding rod 14461 can be mounted on the firstmounting plate 14421.

In one embodiment, the second sliding rod 14463 can be located at oneside of the second mounting plate 14423 and be far away from the toothplate groups 1440. Two opposite ends of the second sliding rod 14463 canbe protruded from the second mounting plate 14421. The second slidingrod 14463 can be configured to couple to the second bases 14223. Thesecond bases 14221 can define two second guiding slots 1428 (see in FIG.7). The two ends of the second sliding rod 14463 can be respectivelyreceived in the two second guiding slots 1428. The two ends of thesecond sliding rod 14463 can slide in the two second guiding slots 1428.Thus, the second sliding rod 14463 can be slidably coupled to the secondbases 14223. In one embodiment, the second mounting plate 14423 candefine a locking slot C. The second sliding rod 14463 can be partiallyreceived in the locking slot C. Thus, the second sliding rod 14463 canbe mounted on the second mounting plate 14423.

As illustrated in FIG. 5 and FIG. 13, in the one embodiment, therotation mechanism 10 may include two hinge assemblies 14 (i.e., a firsthinge assembly 14 a and a second hinge assembly 14 b). The first hingeassembly 14 a and the second hinge assembly 14 b can be located at twoopposite ends of the supporting member 12 along a longitudinal directionof the supporting member 12. The first hinge assembly 14 a and thesecond hinge assembly 14 b can be separated from each other. Therotation mechanism 10 can further include a connecting member 16, aflexible decorating member 17, and a number of supporting shafts 18.

In one embodiment, the connecting member 16 may include a firstconnecting unit 161 and a second connecting unit 162. The firstconnecting unit 161 and the second connecting unit 162 can be locatedbetween the first hinge assembly 14 a and the second hinge assembly 14b, and can be substantially parallel and separated from each other. Twoends of each of the first connecting unit 161 and the second connectingunit 162 can be configured to be connected to the first hinge assembly14 a and the second hinge assembly 14 b. In one embodiment, two oppositeends of first connecting unit 161 can be coupled to the first bases14421 of the first hinge assembly 14 a and the second hinge assembly 14b, two opposite ends of the second connecting unit 162 can be coupled tothe second bases 14423 of the first hinge assembly 14 a and the secondhinge assembly 14 b. In one embodiment, each of the first connectingunit 161 and the second connecting unit 162 may be made of a sheet metalplate. The connecting member 16 can be connected to the first hingeassembly 14 a and the second hinge assembly 14 b by screw. A middle partof the connecting member 16 (i.e., the first connecting unit 161 and thesecond connecting unit 162) can be connected to the supporting member 12by screw. The connecting member 16 can be configured to reinforce thestrength of the rotation mechanism 10.

In one embodiment, the flexible decorating member 17 is located betweenthe first connecting unit 161 and the second connecting unit 162, andlocated between the first tooth hinge assemblies 14 a and the secondtooth hinge assemblies 14 b. The flexible decorating member 17 can becoupled to the supporting member 12. The flexible decorating member 17can be made of silicone. The flexible decorating member 17 can beconfigured to decorate the rotation mechanism 10, thus better appearanceeffect of the rotation mechanism 10 can be obtained.

The supporting rods 18 can be mounted on the flexible decorating member17. In one embodiment, the supporting rod 18 can be arranged in theflexible decorating member 17. The supporting rods 18 can besubstantially parallel to and separated from each other. A longitudinaldirection of the supporting rods 18 can be parallel to the rotation axisof the first hinge assembly 14 a and the second tooth hinge assemblies14 b. In one embodiment, two opposite ends of each of the supportingrods 18 can be coupled to the first hinge assembly 14 a and the secondhinge assembly 14 b respectively. In an alternative embodiment, the twoopposite ends of each of the supporting rods 18 can be close to thefirst hinge assembly 14 a and the second hinge assembly 14 brespectively. The flexible decorating member 17 and the supporting rods18 can be configured to support the supporting member 12, and preventthe supporting member 12 from sinking.

The flexible display panel assembly 40 can include flexible displaypanel 401 and a flexible cover 403 (see FIG. 2). The flexible cover 403can be overlapped on and adhered to the flexible display panel 401. Theflexible display panel assembly 40 is mounted on the first housing 20,the rotation mechanism 10 and the second housing 30.

The foldable mobile terminal 100 can be folded or unfolded by therotation mechanism 10. During folding the foldable mobile terminal 100,the interior portions 14262 of the hinge elements 1426 can be close toeach other, the supporting member 12 of the rotation mechanism 10 can bebent by the hinge elements 1426. The configuration of the bentsupporting member 12 can be similar to the bent (or folded) flexibledisplay panel assembly 40. During unfolding the foldable mobile terminal100, the interior portions 14262 of the hinge elements 1426 can be faraway from each other, the supporting member 12 of the rotation mechanism10 can be bent by the hinge elements 1426. The configuration of the bentsupporting member 12 can be similar to the bent flexible display panelassembly 40. Thus, the rotation mechanism 10 can always support theflexible display panel assembly 40. The flexible display panel assembly40 will not be stretched or compressed during folding or unfolding thefoldable mobile terminal 100. The flexible display panel assembly 40 canbe prevented from damage.

While the disclosure has been described in terms of what is presentlyconsidered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is tobe understood that the disclosure needs not be limited to the disclosedembodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover variousmodifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the appended claims which are to be accorded with the broadestinterpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similarstructures.

What is claimed is:
 1. A hinge assembly comprising: a first base; asecond base; a flexible connection element located between and coupledto the first base and the second base; and a plurality of hinge elementsarranged in a line and located between the first base and the secondbase, wherein each of the hinge elements comprises an interior portionand an exterior portion opposite to the interior portion, the exteriorportions of the hinge elements are coupled to the flexible connectionelement, the interior portions of the hinge elements are capable ofbeing either close to or far away from each other by rotating the firstbase with respect to the second base wherein each of the hinge elementscomprises a first sidewall and a second sidewall opposite to the firstsidewall; the interior portion and the exterior portion are locatedbetween the first sidewall and the second sidewall; wherein the firstsidewall is provided with a slide portion; the second sidewall defines aslide slot; the slide portion of one of the hinge elements is slidablyengaged in the slide slot of one hinge element adjacent to the one ofthe hinge elements; wherein each of the hinge element defines a guidingspace in the first sidewall; each of the hinge elements furthercomprises a second extending portion adjacent to the slide slot on thesecond sidewall; the second extending portion of the one of the hingeelements is configured to be slidably engaged in the guiding space ofone hinge element adjacent to the one of the hinge elements.
 2. Thehinge assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the slide portion isarc-shaped; a configuration of the slide slot is arc-shaped and similarto that of the slide portion.
 3. The hinge assembly as claimed in claim1, wherein each of the hinge elements further comprises a firstextending portion disposed on the first sidewall, thereby forming theguiding space between the slide portion and the first extending portion.4. The hinge assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the exteriorportion of each of the hinge elements comprises an outer surface, theouter surface is arc-shaped, a successive configuration of the outersurfaces of the hinge elements is changed during rotating the first basewith respect to the second base.
 5. The hinge assembly as claimed inclaim 1, wherein an amount of the hinge elements is odd number, a middleone of the hinge elements is configured to indicate a rotation axis ofthe hinge assembly.
 6. A hinge assembly comprising: a first base; asecond base; a flexible connection element located between and coupledto the first base and the second base; a plurality of hinge elementsarranged in a line and located between the first base and the secondbase, wherein each of the hinge elements comprises an interior portionand an exterior portion opposite to the interior portion, the exteriorportions of the hinge elements are coupled to the flexible connectionelement, the interior portions of the hinge elements are capable ofbeing either close to or far away from each other by rotating the firstbase with respect to the second base; and a tooth plate member coupledto the first base and the second base, the tooth plate membercomprising: a first mounting plate slidably coupled to the first base; asecond mounting plate slidably coupled to the second base; and at leastone tooth plate group located between and coupled to the first mountingplate and the second mounting plate, wherein the at least one toothplate group is configured to maintain a rotation position of the firstbase with respect to the second base.
 7. The hinge assembly as claimedin claim 6, wherein each of the at least one tooth plate groupcomprises: a first tooth plate group coupled to the first mountingplate; a second tooth plate group coupled to the second mounting plate;a first middle tooth plate group meshed with the first tooth plategroup; and a second middle tooth plate group meshed with the secondtooth plate group, the second tooth plate group and the second middletooth plate group are stacked on the first tooth plate group and thefirst middle tooth plate group.
 8. The hinge assembly as claimed inclaim 7, wherein the at least one tooth plate group comprises aplurality of tooth plate groups, the tooth plate groups are stackedalong a direction parallel to a rotation axis of the hinge assembly. 9.The hinge assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein the tooth plate memberfurther comprises: a first rotation shaft, penetrating through the firsttooth plate groups and the second middle tooth plate groups; a secondrotation shaft, penetrating through the first middle tooth plate groupsand the second middle tooth plate groups; and a third rotation shaft,penetrating through the first middle tooth plate groups and the secondtooth plate groups.
 10. A foldable mobile terminal, comprising: arotation mechanism comprising: a supporting member having a supportingsurface and a mounting surface opposite to the supporting surface; andat least one hinge assembly coupled to the mounting surface, each of theat least one hinge assembly comprising a first base, a second base, aplurality of hinge elements, and a flexible connection element; whereineach of the first base and the second base is coupled to the mountingsurface and separated from each other; the hinge elements are arrangedin a line and located between the first base and the second base; theflexible connection element is located between and coupled to the firstbase and the second base, and faces the mounting surface; a firsthousing coupled to one side of the supporting member; a second housingcoupled to the other side of the supporting member; and a flexibledisplay panel assembly mounted on the first housing and the secondhousing and being in contact with the supporting surface; wherein thesecond housing and the rotation mechanism are in contact with thesupporting member; a configuration of the supporting member of therotation mechanism is capable of being changed to cooperate with aconfiguration of the flexible display panel assembly during rotating thefirst housing with respect to the second housing; wherein each of thehinge elements comprises a first sidewall and a second sidewall oppositeto the first sidewall, the first sidewall is provided with a slideportion, the second sidewall defines a slide slot; the slide portion ofone of the hinge elements is slidably engaged in the slide slot of onehinge element adjacent to the one of the hinge elements; wherein each ofthe hinge element defines a guiding space in the first sidewall; each ofthe hinge elements further comprises a second extending portion adjacentto the slide slot of the second sidewall; the second extending portionof the one of the hinge elements is configured to be slidably engaged inthe guiding space of one hinge element adjacent to the one of the hingeelements.
 11. The foldable mobile terminal as claimed in claim 10,wherein each of the hinge elements comprises an interior portion and anexterior portion opposite to the interior portion; the exterior portionsof the hinge elements are coupled to the flexible connection element,the interior portions of the hinge elements are capable of being eitherclose to or far away from each other by rotating the first base withrespect to the second base.
 12. The foldable mobile terminal as claimedin claim 11, wherein the interior portion and the exterior portion arelocated between the first sidewall and the second sidewall.
 13. Thefoldable mobile terminal as claimed in claim 11, wherein the exteriorportion of each of the hinge elements comprises an outer surface, theouter surface is arc-shaped, a successive configuration of the outersurfaces of the hinge elements is changed during rotating the first basewith respect to the second base.
 14. The foldable mobile terminal asclaimed in claim 10, wherein the slide portion is arc-shaped; aconfiguration of the slide slot is arc-shaped and similar to that of theslide portion.
 15. The foldable mobile terminal as claimed in claim 10,wherein the flexible connection element defines a plurality of positionholes and a plurality of hollowed-outs alternately arranged along alongitudinal direction of the flexible connection element, the exteriorportion has a position rod formed thereon, and the position rod iscoupled to a corresponding one of the position holes of the flexibleconnection element.
 16. The foldable mobile terminal as claimed in claim10, wherein the hinge assembly includes a first hinge member, a secondhinge member separated from the first hinge member, a tooth plate memberlocated between the first hinge member and the second hinge member, afirst connection plate, and a second connection plate, the first and thesecond connection plates are separated from each other and both locatedbetween the first hinge member and the second hinge member, the toothplate member is coupled to the first hinge member and the second hingemember, and is disposed on the first connection plate and the secondconnection plate.
 17. The foldable mobile terminal as claimed in claim16, wherein each of the first hinge member and the second hinge membercomprises the first base, the second base, the flexible connectionelement, and the plurality of hinge elements.
 18. The foldable mobileterminal as claimed in claim 10, wherein the at least one hinge assemblycomprises a first hinge assembly and a second hinge assembly located attwo opposite ends of the supporting member, the rotation mechanismfurther comprises a connecting member configured to reinforce thestrength of the rotation mechanism, the connecting member comprises afirst connecting unit and a second connecting unit that both are locatedbetween the first hinge assembly and the second hinge assembly.
 19. Thefoldable mobile terminal as claimed in claim 18, wherein the rotationmechanism further comprises a flexible decorating member configured todecorate the rotation mechanism, the flexible decorating member iscoupled to the supporting member, and located between the firstconnecting unit and the second connecting unit.
 20. The foldable mobileterminal as claimed in claim 19, wherein the rotation mechanism furthercomprises a plurality of supporting rods mounted on the flexibledecorating member, the supporting rods are parallel to and separatedfrom each other, two opposite ends of each of the supporting rods arecoupled to the first hinge assembly and the second hinge assembly,respectively.